Clock striking mechanism.



No. 677,004. C Patented June 25, 19m.

L. L. voLPo.-. CLOCK STBIKING MECHANISM.

(Application flied Nov. 17, 1899.)

(No Model.)

wllintadtl. v I Invento r' 1: ion"! Imus co mowuma. wumnamm a c4 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFI E- LEISER LEVI VOLPO, OF JERUSALEM, PALESTINE, TURKEYIN ASIA.

CLOCK STRIKING MECHANISM.

I $IEGJIEIQATJION forming part of Letters Patent No. 677,004, dated June25, 1901. Application filed November 17, 1899- Serial No; 737,366. (Nomodel.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEISER LEVI VoLPo, a British subject, residing atJerusalem, Palestine, Turkey in Asia,'have invented lmprove ments inStriking Mechanism for Clocks and WVatches, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in the striking mechanism ofclocks and watches, having for their objectto simplify the constructionand economize power and toregulate the speed of the striking apparatusby the escapement-wheel.

According to my invention the toothed Wheel which actuatesthe hammer iscaused to engage with a small pinion upon the axle of theescapement-wheel, which retards the motion of the toothedstriking-wheel, so as to regulate its speed. In the normal position ofthe parts the pinion on theescapement-wheel doesnot engage with thestriking-wheel; but

when this is to be brought into action it is released by a pawl and theteeth are caused to engagewith the pinion. 'Bythis means the fly-wheeland connections commonly used to regulate the speedot the strikingapparatus are dispensed with and the power generally wasted in this is'economized, so that- .timepieces which "areint'ended to go for a longtime with one winding can be provided with striking mechanism.

Theaccompanying drawing shows a method of carrying out my invention, inwhich mechanism for striking the hours is illustrated. I

A is the toothed wheel, which actuates the hammer B in the well-knownmanner. This wheel in the, construction shown has seventyeight teeth,corresponding to the numberof strokes in twelve hours, in the case of atimepiece striking onlyat the hours, and each of these teeth causesastroke to be given by drawing back the hammer and releasing it. On thiswheel is fitted the counting-Wheel O, which may consist of a rim fixedto the rim of the wheel A. This counting-wheelhas twelve teeth 0,arranged successively at distances apart of one, two, three, 850., teethof the striking-wheel.

Engaging with the teeth of' the countingprovided with. catch e, whichengages with the teeth of the wheel A. The lever E is 0perated bythesmall arm f upon the minutewheel F, which at each hour as it passesraises the lever E, releases the catch D from the counting wheel, andengages the catch or pawl c with the striking-wheel A. When the arm fpasses the end of the lever, this drops, and the striking-wheel A isreleased until the catch D engages with the next tooth of thecounting-wheel.

The striking-wheel is driven by the drum G, containing a spring andgearing with the toothed wheel 9 upon the striking-wheel; but the methodof driving the striking-wheel can be of any well-known kind. Its speedisregulated by the small pinion II upon the escapement wheel 71. Thispinion or small toothed wheel does not engage with the teeth of thestriking-wheel when thelatter is in its normal position, held by thecatches D or e, as the distance bet ween the teeth of the wheel Aissut'ficient to allow the pinion to operate without engaging when in aposition intermediate between the two teeth. Immediately,

however,jthe wheelA is released and is driven by the drum G or othermeans the pinion engages with the. teeth and allows the wheel to travelonly at the required speed, so that the strokes of the bell are atregular intervals. I

The drawing shows an arrangement for striking the hours only; but it isof course to be understood that a similar apparatus is applicable tostriking at either one-half or one-quarter hour orat other intervals,the arrangement required for this being well known and forming no partof my invention.

\Vhat Iclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In striking apparatus for timepieces, a

small pinion or toothed wheel upon the esthe combination with a smalltoothed wheel In testimony whereof I have signed my upon theescapement-wheel, of a toothed name to'this' sgecification in thepresence of 10 striking-wheel actuating the hammer and two subscribingwitnesses. means for en a ing and releasing the strik- 5 ing-wheel atE118 required points causing its LEISER LEVI VOLPO' teeth to engage thesmall toothed wheel when Witnesses:

required, substantially as herein described 7 JOSEPH JAMAL, v and shown.CHARLES ALEXANDER HoRNsTEIN.

